What is *Catch and Kill* by Ronan Farrow about?

*Catch and Kill* chronicles Ronan Farrow’s Pulitzer Prize-winning investigation into Harvey Weinstein’s decades of sexual abuse, exposing how the Hollywood producer used legal threats, spies, and media collusion to silence survivors. The book reveals systemic failures at NBC News, Weinstein’s intimidation tactics, and the whistleblowers who risked their careers to share their stories. It blends investigative journalism with a spy thriller, detailing Farrow’s clashes with powerful institutions.

Who should read *Catch and Kill* by Ronan Farrow?

This book is essential for readers interested in investigative journalism, #MeToo-era accountability, or media ethics. It appeals to true crime enthusiasts, advocates for sexual assault survivors, and those studying institutional corruption. Farrow’s meticulous reporting and narrative style make it accessible for both casual readers and academics analyzing power dynamics in Hollywood and corporate America.

Is *Catch and Kill* by Ronan Farrow worth reading?

Yes—*Catch and Kill* offers a gripping, firsthand account of journalistic perseverance against corporate censorship. Its revelations about surveillance tactics, survivor testimonies, and high-stakes legal battles provide critical insights into systemic abuses of power. The book’s impact on public discourse about sexual harassment and media integrity makes it a landmark work in modern nonfiction.

How does *Catch and Kill* explain systemic protection of predators?

Farrow documents how Weinstein exploited NDAs, paid settlements, and alliances with media figures and private investigators to suppress allegations. The book highlights complicity across industries, from Hollywood studios to news networks like NBC, which allegedly prioritized protecting Matt Lauer over pursuing Weinstein’s crimes. These systems shielded predators by discrediting victims and burying evidence.

What ethical dilemmas does Ronan Farrow face in *Catch and Kill*?

Farrow grapples with balancing journalistic rigor against survivors’ safety, navigating legal threats from Weinstein’s team, and confronting institutional pressure from NBC to abandon the story. His ethical commitment to transparency contrasts with networks prioritizing reputation over truth, illustrating challenges faced by whistleblowers in high-stakes investigations.

How does *Catch and Kill* address survivor guilt and shame?

Survivors describe internalized blame for not resisting Weinstein’s assaults sooner, despite recognizing his manipulation. Farrow contextualizes this guilt as a tool of oppression, showing how predators weaponize shame to silence victims. The book underscores the emotional toll on survivors fighting institutional indifference.

What spy tactics were used to intimidate Weinstein’s accusers?

Weinstein hired ex-Mossad agents to surveil victims and journalists, using hidden cameras, fake identities, and leaked personal data. Farrow reveals how this “black ops” network stalked sources, intercepted communications, and planted false narratives to discredit accusers—a blueprint for silencing dissent.

How does *Catch and Kill* connect to the #MeToo movement?

The book catalyzed #MeToo by exposing Weinstein’s crimes and illustrating how systemic enablement allows abuse to thrive. Farrow’s work amplified survivor voices, inspiring broader accountability across industries and underscoring the importance of investigative journalism in social movements.

Catch and Kill

Lies, Spies, and a Conspiracy to Protect Predators

Ronan Farrow

4.4(101367 Reviews)

Overview of Catch and Kill

Ronan Farrow's explosive expose reveals how powerful predators silence victims through intimidation, espionage, and corporate complicity. The Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist uncovered the dark machinery protecting Harvey Weinstein and Matt Lauer, sparking global #MeToo conversations and proving that truth can ultimately outmaneuver even the most sophisticated cover-ups.

Choose how it's told

One book. Many ways to hear it.

Same ideas from Catch and Kill. Pick the voice, depth, and pace that fits you. Switch anytime.

Chapter 1

The Journalist Who Uncovered a Monster

Hollywood's most powerful man was untouchable until he wasn't. Ronan Farrow's "Catch and Kill" chronicles his two-year investigation that helped spark the #MeToo movement and brought down Harvey Weinstein, one of the most influential figures in entertainment. Published in 2019, this explosive bestseller spent months on the New York Times bestseller list and won the National Book Critics Circle Award for autobiography. Celebrities from Reese Witherspoon to John Oliver praised its unflinching courage, with The Guardian calling it "an instant classic of investigative journalism." Beyond exposing Weinstein's predatory behavior, the book reveals a disturbing network of powerful institutions-from NBC to tabloid empires-that systematically silenced victims through intimidation, payoffs, and sophisticated intelligence operations. What began as one reporter's investigation into Hollywood misconduct evolved into an expose of institutional corruption that forever changed how we view power, privilege, and accountability.

Chapter 2

Predators in Plain Sight: Hollywood's Open Secret

For decades, Harvey Weinstein operated as both Hollywood kingmaker and predator. Co-founder of Miramax and The Weinstein Company, he transformed independent film with hits like "Pulp Fiction" and "Shakespeare in Love," earning over 300 Oscar nominations. Meryl Streep once jokingly called him "God." Behind this public persona of brash business genius lurked something far more sinister-a pattern of sexual harassment, assault, and rape allegations spanning decades. Raised in Queens by a diamond cutter father, Weinstein was physically imposing and notoriously temperamental. His bullying business style was legendary-throwing ashtrays, screaming nose-to-nose at employees. But this public behavior masked even darker private actions. As a college student, he had co-written a newspaper column featuring a character called "Denny the Hustler" who menaced women-perhaps an early window into his mindset. Despite persistent rumors about violence against women, Weinstein maintained elite status. During the 2016 election, he served as a key Clinton fundraiser and advisor. Meanwhile, he was secretly hiring Black Cube, an Israeli intelligence firm staffed by former Mossad agents, through his attorney David Boies. Their mission: target those who might expose him, including journalists investigating the rumors. The pattern was consistent-Weinstein would arrange "business meetings" with aspiring actresses or female employees that would suddenly move to hotel rooms. There, he would appear in a bathrobe, demand massages, expose himself, or force himself on women. Afterward, victims were silenced through settlements with strict non-disclosure agreements, threats about career destruction, and sophisticated surveillance operations. "There was money available in the event that there was an indiscretion that needed to be taken care of," explained Dennis Rice, Weinstein's former president of marketing at Miramax. This covered not just bullying and physical abuse, but sexual harassment. Rice admitted witnessing Weinstein "inappropriately touching" young women who were then "paid off" and "encouraged to not make this a big deal, otherwise their career may end." Another producer, Elizabeth Nickerson, confirmed this pattern, calling Weinstein "a predator" and revealing the company even employed someone whose job effectively involved procuring women for him. "This was ongoing predatorial behavior towards women-whether they consented or not," she said, adding, "Everybody knew."

See every word as you hear it

Read along effortlessly as each word of Catch and Kill lights up in real time.

Chapter 3

The Tabloid Empire: American Media Inc.'s Catch and Kill Machine

While Weinstein had his own methods of silencing accusers, he also benefited from a larger system of suppressing damaging stories about powerful men. At the heart of this system was American Media Inc. (AMI), parent company of the National Enquirer, led by CEO David Pecker and editor Dylan Howard. AMI operated at the edge of legality-obtaining medical records through hospital moles, blackmailing celebrities by withholding damaging information, and employing subcontractors using intrusive tactics. Pecker, a mustached former accountant from the Bronx, had cultivated a decades-long alliance with Donald Trump. Former editor Jerry George estimated Pecker killed at least ten fully reported Trump stories during his twenty-eight years at the Enquirer. During Trump's campaign, the Enquirer endorsed him while publishing vicious attacks on Hillary Clinton. But Trump wasn't AMI's only powerful ally. In 2015, they struck a production deal with Harvey Weinstein that went beyond business. When allegations against Weinstein surfaced, Howard suppressed stories and actively gathered dirt on accusers like Ashley Judd and Rose McGowan. The practice became known as "catch and kill"-purchasing exclusive rights to damaging stories about powerful allies, then burying them. In one email to Weinstein about damaging information on McGowan, Howard assured: "They are not [your fingerprints]. And the conversation-between you and I-is RECORDED." This system extended beyond Weinstein to protect other powerful figures. Karen McDougal, a former Playboy Playmate, had signed away rights to her story about an affair with Donald Trump. According to McDougal's notes, she and Trump began a nine-month affair in 2006 after meeting at the Beverly Hills Hotel. Throughout their relationship, Trump carefully avoided paper trails, having McDougal book her own travel which he later reimbursed. In 2016, McDougal was convinced by friends to sell her story. After several intermediaries became involved, she signed a $150,000 contract with AMI, receiving only $82,500 after fees. The contract effectively silenced her about any relationship with a "then-married man." When journalists later approached her, AMI actively managed her responses, with Howard sending pre-written statements and Pecker personally thanking her for loyalty. By 2018, federal investigators were closing in on AMI. FBI agents raided Michael Cohen's office looking for records related to the McDougal payment and correspondence between Cohen, Pecker, and Howard. Facing potential prosecution, Pecker and Howard cut a deal and admitted everything-they had offered to "help deal with negative stories" about Trump's relationships with women by purchasing stories to prevent publication.

Chapter 4

The Army of Spies: Weinstein's Private Intelligence Operations

As journalists began investigating Weinstein's behavior, he deployed a sophisticated network of private intelligence firms to surveil, intimidate, and gather information on potential accusers and reporters. The most notorious was Black Cube, an Israeli firm staffed by former intelligence operatives. In late 2016, Roman Khaykin, a pale Russian with suspicious eyes, recruited Ukrainian immigrant Igor Ostrovskiy for work with a mysterious new client, boasting about "dark stuff" including illegal phone tracking methods. Though skeptical, Ostrovskiy needed the work. Soon, he found himself conducting surveillance in Manhattan hotel lobbies, following mysterious operatives with military bearing who were meeting various contacts. Black Cube represented the elite end of private investigation-founded in 2010 by Israeli intelligence veterans Dan Zorella and Avi Yanus. With former Mossad director Meir Dagan on its advisory board until his death in 2016, the firm employed over a hundred operatives speaking thirty languages. Their Tel Aviv headquarters featured unmarked black doors, fingerprint readers, and desks with multiple phones tied to different fictional personas. Everyone, even janitors, underwent routine polygraph tests to prevent leaks. The most disturbing aspect of Black Cube's operation was the deployment of undercover operatives using false identities to target Weinstein's accusers. One agent, Stella Penn Pechanac (operating under aliases including "Diana Filip" and "Anna"), posed as a women's rights advocate to gain Rose McGowan's trust. Over months, she built a close friendship with McGowan, extracting information about her forthcoming memoir and plans to speak out against Weinstein. "Diana Filip" persistently pursued McGowan, eventually asking for an introduction to Farrow himself, calling him "an interesting and valuable addition to our project" as a "pro-female male." When McGowan later learned the truth, she was devastated: "It was like the movie Gaslight. Everyone lied to me all the time. I've lived inside a mirrored fun house." The contracts between Weinstein's attorneys and Black Cube revealed shocking details: Black Cube promised "a dedicated team of expert intelligence officers," including "Avatar Operators" creating fake identities, and "operations experts with extensive experience in social engineering." They committed to hiring an investigative journalist for $40,000 to conduct interviews and report findings to Weinstein. Most damning was their promise of "a full time agent by the name of 'Anna'" who would be "available full time to assist the Client." Beyond Black Cube, Weinstein employed multiple other firms. Kroll and its chairman Dan Karson had compiled dossiers on journalists, searching for damaging information. PSOPS, founded by Jack Palladino and Sandra Sutherland, had categorized information about McGowan under headings like "Lies/Exaggerations/Contradictions" and "Past Lovers," while also profiling reporters. K2 Intelligence had hired Italian investigators to dig up sexual rumors about accusers during legal cases. This network extended to seemingly legitimate media operations. Dylan Howard of the National Enquirer secretly recorded an off-the-record conversation with Elizabeth Avellan about Rose McGowan, while former Miramax producers Denise Doyle Chambers and Pam Lubell contacted former employees under the guise of writing a book, while actually gathering intelligence for Black Cube operatives.

Get more out of Catch and Kill

Get daily insights from 100K+ lessons
Words light up in sync with the audio
Your library saved on every device

Chapter 5

The Brave Women Who Spoke Out: Survivors' Stories

Despite the intimidation tactics, numerous women eventually found the courage to speak on the record about Weinstein's predatory behavior. Their stories revealed a consistent pattern spanning decades. Rose McGowan described how in 1997 at Sundance, Harvey Weinstein assaulted her in a hotel suite after what began as a business meeting. "All of a sudden, you have no clothes on," she recalled. She confirmed it was both sexual assault and rape. McGowan hired a criminal attorney but was discouraged from pressing charges, instead accepting a $100,000 settlement. She described being "blacklisted" afterward and the trauma of having to smile for cameras with Weinstein at industry events. Ambra Battilana Gutierrez, who'd grown up protecting her Filipina mother from her abusive Italian father, encountered Weinstein at a Radio City event in March 2015. After staring at her across the room, he arranged a "business meeting" where he groped her breasts and tried to put his hand up her skirt. Gutierrez immediately reported the assault to police. When Weinstein called her later, investigators were listening and devised a plan: she would wear a wire to extract a confession. During their recorded meeting at the Tribeca Grand Hotel, Weinstein repeatedly tried to get her to his room while she resisted. On tape, he admitted to groping her the previous day-a full confession. Though police believed they had a solid case, Manhattan DA Cyrus Vance Jr.'s office declined to press charges. Two weeks after reporting Weinstein, Gutierrez signed a million-dollar NDA requiring destruction of all evidence. Asia Argento revealed that in 1997, Weinstein had sexually assaulted her in a hotel room at the Hotel du Cap-Eden-Roc after being led there under the pretense of attending a Miramax party. Weinstein appeared in a bathrobe, forced her to give him a massage, then performed oral sex on her despite her repeated refusals. What complicated her story was that she later had occasional sexual encounters with him over the following years, feeling obligated to comply to protect her career. "After the rape," she said, "he won." Annabella Sciorra described how Weinstein forced his way into her apartment, shoved her onto the bed, pinned her arms above her head, and raped her. When finished, he ejaculated on her leg and nightgown-a family heirloom from Italy-saying "I have impeccable timing" and "This is for you." In the aftermath, Sciorra told no one. "I was so ashamed," she explained. She grew depressed, lost weight, and believed Weinstein had retaliated professionally. "From 1992, I didn't work again until 1995," she said. Lucia Evans, while a college senior hoping to break into acting, met Weinstein at a Manhattan club. After declining his late-night invitations, she agreed to a daytime meeting with a casting executive. Upon arrival, she found Weinstein alone in an office. He simultaneously flattered and demeaned her, suggesting she'd be great for Project Runway if she lost weight. Then he sexually assaulted her, forcing her to perform oral sex despite her repeated objections. "I just sort of gave up. That's the most horrible part of it, and that's why he's been able to do this for so long to so many women: people give up, and then they feel like it's their fault," Evans explained.

Chapter 6

NBC's Buried Investigation: Corporate Complicity

As Farrow pursued the Weinstein story at NBC News, he encountered increasing resistance from network executives. Despite gathering substantial evidence-including the Gutierrez recording, multiple on-camera interviews with accusers, and corroborating testimony from former Weinstein employees-NBC ultimately refused to air the investigation. When Farrow presented his evidence to NBC News president Noah Oppenheim, the executive seemed taken aback by the scope of the reporting. Despite Farrow's explanation of the multiple sources and hard evidence they'd gathered, including the police recording, Oppenheim responded with surprising hesitation, questioning whether Weinstein was famous enough to warrant coverage and whether his admitted behavior constituted a crime. "We're going to have to decide if it's newsworthy," Oppenheim said. After hearing the Gutierrez tape where Weinstein admitted to groping her, Oppenheim responded with apathy, saying "I don't know what that proves" and dismissing Weinstein's admission with "people say a lot of things when they're trying to get rid of a girl like that." Despite the reporters explaining their multiple-sourced accounts of misconduct, Oppenheim questioned whether Weinstein was even known to the Today show audience. As pressure mounted, Farrow and producer Rich McHugh were ordered to "pause all reporting" on the story. The investigation was now "under review by NBCUniversal"-not just NBC News but the corporate parent company. When Farrow pushed back, Oppenheim claimed he had a "conflict of interest" because Weinstein had distributed Woody Allen's films, and Farrow had written about sexual assault in Hollywood after his sister's allegations. "Harvey says you've got a huge conflict of interest," he told Farrow. Meanwhile, Weinstein was calling NBC executives directly. He reached Andy Lack, nervously mentioning "your boy Ronan" was doing a story about him, dismissing allegations as behavior from "the nineties" when "we all did that." Lack responded only with "Harvey, say no more. We'll look into it." After one call with Phil Griffin, Weinstein triumphantly told his legal advisors that NBC executives assured him "they're not doing the story." What Farrow didn't know at the time was that NBC had its own history of settlements with women who had experienced harassment, particularly involving Today show host Matt Lauer. One on-air personality who signed an NDA in 2012 had shown colleagues messages she considered propositions from both Lauer and a senior executive. "I was like a hanging piece of meat," she said. After declining their advances, she felt her career suffered. Another settlement involved a woman who had reported a serious allegation about Lauer in 2013. Ann Curry revealed that complaints about Lauer verbally harassing women were well known, and in 2010, a colleague had broken down after Lauer allegedly exposed himself and propositioned her. Though Curry alerted two senior executives about Lauer's "problem with women," nothing happened. The pattern of NDAs and secrecy at NBC had made the network vulnerable to Weinstein's intimidation tactics while they simultaneously accepted his argument that his own similar agreements couldn't be reported on. As one NBC correspondent later texted Farrow, working for NBC felt like "working for a media cabal akin to the Vatican, willing to cover up sex crimes."

See every word as you hear it

Read along effortlessly as each word of Catch and Kill lights up in real time.

Chapter 7

Truth Will Out: The New Yorker Investigation

After NBC refused to air his investigation, Farrow took his reporting to The New Yorker magazine. Unlike NBC, editor David Remnick and his team recognized the significance of the story and committed to publishing it despite Weinstein's threats. "We're not going to race to beat anyone," Remnick told Farrow, emphasizing accuracy over speed. "We're an ocean liner, not a speedboat." The magazine's fact-checkers began their grueling work calling source after source, verifying every detail of the story. When Weinstein's attorney Charles Harder sent The New Yorker a letter claiming Farrow's reporting was "defamatory," Remnick stood firmly behind the reporting, telling Farrow, "We will defend you legally, no matter how far Harvey Weinstein goes." On October 5, 2017, The New York Times published their initial Weinstein story, revealing Ashley Judd's allegations and workplace misconduct claims, but containing no assault allegations. Weinstein initially expressed relief that it appeared on a Thursday rather than Sunday, which he considered the Times' prime real estate. He believed his public statement pledging to fight the NRA and get therapy would resolve matters. Five days later, The New Yorker published Farrow's more extensive investigation, revealing multiple rape allegations against Weinstein. The story included testimony from thirteen women who said Weinstein had sexually harassed or assaulted them, with three alleging rape. It also included the damning audio recording of Weinstein admitting to groping Gutierrez. The impact was immediate and far-reaching. Within hours of publication, NBC executives who had killed the story were suddenly eager to have Farrow appear on their programs. When Rachel Maddow pressed him about why he published with The New Yorker instead of NBC, Farrow carefully noted that "many news organizations have circled this story and faced a great deal of pressure." When Maddow pointed out NBC's claim that his story "wasn't publishable," she skeptically noted it was "obviously ready to go" by the time it reached The New Yorker. The combined impact of the Times and New Yorker investigations sparked what became known as the #MeToo movement, with thousands of women coming forward with their own stories of sexual harassment and assault across industries. For Weinstein, the consequences were swift-he was fired from his company, expelled from the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, and eventually arrested and charged with rape and sexual assault.

Chapter 8

The Aftermath: Justice and Reckoning

The publication of Farrow's investigation triggered a cascade of consequences both for Weinstein and the institutions that had protected him. Dozens more women came forward with accusations against Weinstein. Law enforcement in multiple cities began investigations, with NYPD detective Keri Thompson tracking down Lucia Evans, who eventually agreed to file a complaint. In May 2018, Weinstein surrendered to police, styled as a mild-mannered professor with books about Hollywood under his arm. Despite the symbolic perp walk, he posted $1 million bail and returned home with an ankle monitor while his legal team continued their offensive against accusers and investigators. At NBC, the aftermath of the Weinstein story revealed the network's own problems with sexual misconduct. Shortly after the first New Yorker story broke, the network fired Mark Halperin after five women reported harassment and assault. Days later, Matt Zimmerman, SVP of booking at Today and Lauer's confidant, was fired for inappropriate relationships with subordinates. In November 2017, Matt Lauer himself was fired after NBC employee Brooke Nevils reported that he had sexually assaulted her during the 2014 Sochi Olympics. Though NBC characterized the incident as an "affair," Nevils described it as assault, saying Lauer had anally raped her in his hotel room after she had consumed six shots of vodka. She described the ongoing sexual encounters with Lauer after Sochi as "completely transactional" rather than a relationship, feeling trapped by his position of authority over her career. AMI faced its own reckoning. Federal investigators raided Michael Cohen's office looking for records related to the McDougal payment and correspondence between Cohen, Pecker, and Howard. AMI promised to "commit no crimes whatsoever" for three years as part of their non-prosecution agreement, but soon faced questions about breaching this clause when Howard aggressively pursued compromising photos of Jeff Bezos. With mounting debt and legal troubles, the National Enquirer and sister publications were sold in early 2019. As for Igor Ostrovskiy, the Ukrainian private investigator who had been unwittingly working for Black Cube, he eventually became a whistleblower. Troubled by the tactics used against Farrow and others, he revealed that Black Cube was still following people and shared that their agents were meeting with technology and cybercrime experts, including specialists in aggressive cell phone hacking software. With Farrow's help, Ostrovskiy retained a whistleblower attorney and began the process of becoming a witness for federal prosecutors investigating Black Cube's activities.

Get more out of Catch and Kill

Get daily insights from 100K+ lessons
Words light up in sync with the audio
Your library saved on every device

Chapter 9

Breaking the Silence: The Power of Truth

The Weinstein investigation revealed something far larger than one man's crimes-it exposed an entire system designed to protect powerful predators. This system included lawyers drafting restrictive NDAs, private intelligence firms conducting surveillance, tabloids burying incriminating stories, and major media companies like NBC refusing to publish credible allegations against influential figures. What ultimately broke this system was the courage of individual women who decided to speak despite enormous personal and professional risks. As McGowan put it when deciding to participate in Farrow's investigation: "I've been silenced for twenty years. I've been slut-shamed. I've been harassed. I've been maligned. And you know what? I'm just like you. What happened to me behind the scenes happens to all of us in this society." The impact extended far beyond Hollywood. Within months, powerful men across industries-from media to politics to business-faced consequences for sexual misconduct that had previously been tolerated or covered up. The phrase "Me Too," originally coined by activist Tarana Burke years earlier, became a global movement as millions of women shared their experiences of harassment and assault. For Farrow, the investigation was also personally transformative. Having previously failed to support his sister Dylan when she accused Woody Allen of sexual abuse, he found redemption in helping other survivors be heard. As Dylan told him, "This is the worst part. The considering. The waiting for the story. But once you put your voice out there, it gets a lot easier... If you get this, don't let it go, okay?" The lesson of "Catch and Kill" is ultimately about the power of truth in the face of overwhelming opposition. As Brooke Nevils put it when deciding to speak again despite NBC's attempts to silence her, she was determined that her silence not enable harm to other women. In her words, "stories-the big ones, the true ones-can be caught but never killed."

★★★★★

You made it to the end of Catch and Kill

Loved by 1M+ learners

“23 days in and I have used it every single day. It is part of my daily habit now.”

jayallen

Key Themes in Catch and Kill

investigative journalism
institutional silencing
sexual misconduct
corporate surveillance
media corruption

Quotes from Catch and Kill

Hollywood's most powerful man was untouchable until he wasn't.
Meryl Streep once jokingly called him "God."
"Everybody knew."
AMI operated at the edge of legality.
This was ongoing predatorial behavior towards women-whether they consented or not.

Characters in Catch and Kill

Ronan FarrowInvestigative journalist and author of the book
Harvey WeinsteinHollywood producer and subject of the investigation
David PeckerCEO of AMI who utilized 'catch and kill' tactics
Dylan HowardNational Enquirer editor who suppressed stories
Karen McDougalFormer model whose story was silenced by AMI

About the Author

Ronan Farrow, Pulitzer Prize-winning investigative journalist and bestselling author of Catch and Kill: Lies, Spies, and a Conspiracy to Protect Predators, is renowned for exposing systemic abuses of power.

The book, a gripping work of investigative nonfiction, delves into themes of sexual misconduct, media corruption, and institutional cover-ups, informed by Farrow’s firsthand experience as a New Yorker reporter and former U.S. State Department adviser.

A graduate of Yale Law School and Oxford University (where he earned a PhD as a Rhodes Scholar), Farrow has also authored War on Peace: The End of Diplomacy and the Decline of American Influence, a critical examination of U.S. foreign policy.

His groundbreaking reporting on Harvey Weinstein’s abuses, which sparked the #MeToo movement, earned him a Pulitzer Prize for Public Service and a National Magazine Award. Farrow’s work extends to HBO documentaries, including the Peabody-nominated Catch and Kill: The Podcast Tapes, adapted from his Pulitzer-winning investigation.

Translated into over 20 languages, Catch and Kill has been hailed as a “modern masterpiece of investigative journalism” by The New York Times.

Download Summary of Catch and Kill

Get the Catch and Kill summary as a free PDF or EPUB. Print it or read offline anytime.

Users also liked

She Said

Jodi Kantor

Killing the Killers

Bill O'Reilly and Martin Dugard

Consent to Kill

Vince Flynn

Surprise, Kill, Vanish

Annie Jacobsen

Killers of the Flower Moon

David Grann

Unmasked

Paul Holes

Bad Blood

John Carreyrou

Silent no more

Aaron Fisher

FAQs About This Book

Discover more

LEARNING PLAN

Nature's Lethal Ambition

This plan offers a unique look at how humanity has harnessed nature's toxins for power, war, and status. It is ideal for history buffs, science enthusiasts, and true crime fans interested in the dark evolution of toxicology.

1 h 12 m•3 Sections

LEARNING PLAN

The Hidden Psychology of Female Serial Killers

This course provides a deep dive into the unique behavioral patterns and psychological frameworks of female offenders. It is essential for criminology students, true crime enthusiasts, and legal professionals seeking to move beyond gender stereotypes in criminal profiling.

1 h 12 m•4 Sections

LEARNING PLAN

The Mind of the Hunter

Understanding the psychological architecture of violent offenders is crucial for professionals in criminal justice and forensic psychology. This plan is ideal for aspiring profilers or true crime enthusiasts looking to move beyond headlines into the science of behavioral analysis.

2 h 18 m•3 Sections

LEARNING PLAN

Adapt Epstein files into 7 podcast episodes

This learning plan is essential for aspiring investigative journalists and true-crime creators looking to handle high-stakes documentation with professional rigor. It bridges the gap between raw investigative research and polished, ethical audio storytelling for creators aiming to tackle complex historical cases.

1 h 24 m•4 Sections

LEARNING PLAN

Learn about John Kiriakou

This plan provides a deep dive into the intersection of national security, ethics, and personal sacrifice. It is essential for students of political science, human rights advocates, or anyone interested in the real-world consequences of government whistleblowing.

3 h 36 m•3 Sections

LEARNING PLAN

The World's Most Audacious Heists

This plan offers a deep dive into the intersection of high-stakes crime, security engineering, and criminal psychology. It is ideal for true crime enthusiasts, security professionals, and art historians looking to understand the mechanics of the world's most sophisticated thefts.

1 h 30 m•3 Sections

LEARNING PLAN

Inside the Criminal Mind

This plan offers a deep dive into forensic psychology and behavioral analysis for those fascinated by criminology. It is essential for aspiring investigators, legal professionals, or true crime enthusiasts seeking to understand the 'why' behind the world's most complex crimes.

1 h 30 m•3 Sections

LEARNING PLAN

Study John Kiriakou & CIA Operator Tactics

This plan offers a rare look into the high-stakes world of intelligence, bridging the gap between operational mastery and ethical integrity. It is essential for students of geopolitical history, aspiring intelligence analysts, or anyone interested in the moral dilemmas faced by those operating in the shadows.

6 h 2 m•4 Sections

From Columbia University alumni built in San Francisco

LOVED BY

1,000,000+ curious minds.

4.7

avg rating

1M+ learners

"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."

@Moemenn

"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."

@Chloe, Solo founder, LA

117

"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."

@Raaaaaachelw

"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."

@Matt, YC alum

108

"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."

@Erin, Investment Banking Associate , NYC

254

"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."

@djmikemoore

"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."

@Pitiful

4.5K

"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."

@SofiaP

"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"

@Jaded_Falcon

201

"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."

@OojasSalunke

"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."

@Leo, Law Student, UPenn

483

"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"

@Cashflowbubu

See more on how BeFreed is discussed

From Columbia University alumni built in San Francisco

LOVED BY

1,000,000+ curious minds.

4.7

avg rating

1M+ learners

"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."

@Moemenn

"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."

@Chloe, Solo founder, LA

117

"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."

@Raaaaaachelw

"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."

@Matt, YC alum

108

"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."

@Erin, Investment Banking Associate , NYC

254

"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."

@djmikemoore

"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."

@Pitiful

4.5K

"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."

@SofiaP

"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"

@Jaded_Falcon

201

"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."

@OojasSalunke

"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."

@Leo, Law Student, UPenn

483

"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"

@Cashflowbubu

"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."

@Moemenn

"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."

@Chloe, Solo founder, LA

117

"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."

@Raaaaaachelw

"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."

@Matt, YC alum

108

"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."

@Erin, Investment Banking Associate , NYC

254

"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."

@djmikemoore

"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."

@Pitiful

4.5K

"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."

@SofiaP

"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"

@Jaded_Falcon

201

"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."

@OojasSalunke

"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."

@Leo, Law Student, UPenn

483

"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"

@Cashflowbubu

"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."

@Moemenn

"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."

@Chloe, Solo founder, LA

117

"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."

@Raaaaaachelw

"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."

@Matt, YC alum

108

"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."

@Erin, Investment Banking Associate , NYC

254

"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."

@djmikemoore

"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."

@Pitiful

4.5K

"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."

@SofiaP

"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"

@Jaded_Falcon

201

"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."

@OojasSalunke

"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."

@Leo, Law Student, UPenn

483

"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"

@Cashflowbubu

See more on how BeFreed is discussed

Start your learning journey, now

Chapter 4

Catch and Kill

OverviewOverview of Catch and Kill

One book. Many ways to hear it.

The Journalist Who Uncovered a Monster

Predators in Plain Sight: Hollywood's Open Secret

See every word as you hear it

The Tabloid Empire: American Media Inc.'s Catch and Kill Machine

The Army of Spies: Weinstein's Private Intelligence Operations

Get more out of Catch and Kill

The Brave Women Who Spoke Out: Survivors' Stories

NBC's Buried Investigation: Corporate Complicity

See every word as you hear it

Truth Will Out: The New Yorker Investigation

The Aftermath: Justice and Reckoning

Get more out of Catch and Kill

Breaking the Silence: The Power of Truth

You made it to the end of Catch and Kill

Key Themes in Catch and Kill

Quotes from Catch and Kill

Characters in Catch and Kill

About the Author

Download Summary of Catch and Kill

Users also liked

FAQs About This Book

What is Catch and Kill by Ronan Farrow about?

Who should read Catch and Kill by Ronan Farrow?

Is Catch and Kill by Ronan Farrow worth reading?

How does Catch and Kill explain systemic protection of predators?

Discover more

1,000,000+ curious minds.

1,000,000+ curious minds.

One book. Many ways to hear it.

The Journalist Who Uncovered a Monster

Predators in Plain Sight: Hollywood's Open Secret

See every word as you hear it

The Tabloid Empire: American Media Inc.'s Catch and Kill Machine

The Army of Spies: Weinstein's Private Intelligence Operations

Get more out of Catch and Kill

The Brave Women Who Spoke Out: Survivors' Stories

NBC's Buried Investigation: Corporate Complicity

See every word as you hear it

Truth Will Out: The New Yorker Investigation

The Aftermath: Justice and Reckoning

Get more out of Catch and Kill

Breaking the Silence: The Power of Truth

You made it to the end of Catch and Kill

Users also liked

Discover more

Overview of Catch and Kill